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Millions of people around the world look to move to the United States to reunite with family or to seek better employment opportunities on a consistent basis. However, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) visa quota programs limit the number of people who are able to legally move to the United States. Further complicating matters, these visa programs separate applicants into categories with varying levels of preference. It is critical that potential immigrants understand visa quotas in Wheaton and the effect that they have on obtaining legal entry into the U.S with the help of an attorney.

Quotas for Employment Visas

One category of potential immigrants who may be subject to the quota system is those who are looking to move to the United States to seek employment. The USCIS EB visa program allows foreign nationals to move to the United States on a permanent basis. These people never need to return to their home countries but are free to travel back and forth as necessary.

The USCIS issues around 140,000 of these permanent work visas every year. To qualify, people must fit into one of five preference categories. These categories sort applicants by their professional achievements, work experience, and educational levels. As a rule, the higher the preference level a person is able to rightfully claim, the better his or her chances of obtaining one of these visas. People at the lower preference level may find that they need to wait until the next year to reapply. As a result, the Wheaton visa quotas for employment-based visas require people to prove their professional accomplishments and demonstrate a standing job offer in the United States.

How Many People May Seek a Family-Based Visa?

The other prominent quota-based immigration visa program involves the immigration of family members to the United States. Many family members automatically qualify for these visas without needing to wait in the quota line. These include spouses of U.S. citizens and parents of U.S. citizens when the child is at least 21 years old.

Other relatives may be eligible to seek a family preference visa. The United States Department of State coordinates with the USCIS to separate these potential immigrants into four categories. These are:

  • F1: The unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their minor children (23,400 visas)
  • F2: Spouses, minor children, and unmarried children over the age of 21 of legal permanent residents (114,200 visas)
  • F3: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and minor children (23,400 visas)
  • F4: Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, their spouses and minor children (65,000)

It is plain to see that the need to submit to the Wheaton family visa quota system requires an examination of the sponsor’s immigration status as well as the relationship to the potential immigrant. A lawyer could help to provide more information concerning these factors and their relationship to visa quotas.

Understanding Wheaton Visa Quotas Could Make for a More Pleasant Immigration Experience

It is an unfortunate fact that many potential immigrants to the United States need to wait in line even if they are otherwise eligible. This applies both to general immigration applicants, those moving with an offer of work, and even those who have a family sponsor.

No matter the exact visa quota program, there are a limited number of these visas, and people who are able to claim a higher preference level likely have a better chance of receiving these permanent licenses to live in the United States. An attorney could provide more information about the Wheaton visa quotas and how they could affect a potential move to the United States. Contact a lawyer today to discuss potential options.

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